What is the difference between Shabbat in Hong Kong and Shabbat in Washington, DC?

In 1992, Robyn Helzner traveled to the former British colony to serve as the High Holiday cantor for the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong. Mostly American expatriates, the high powered, dynamic community includes executives, bankers, journalists, and professors.

The UJC invited Robyn to be their first Cantorial Soloist. A Washington, D.C. fan, living in Hong Kong, recommended her to the congregation.

Hong Kong is a feast for the senses. Robyn marveled at the city’s energies and contradictions. Enormous skyscrapers co-exist with lush, green wilderness areas on the tiny island. Modern technology is juxtaposed with ancient Chinese traditions, and things happen three times faster than they do in New York.

On the eve of that first Rosh Hashanah, Robyn encountered a congregation unfamiliar with her melodies and style. She wondered how the congregation would receive her music. Not to worry—when she concluded the service, a UJC board member told her, "You’re hired for next year."

Robyn served for six years as the UJC’s Cantorial Soloist. In addition to her annual High Holiday visits, the UJC hosted winter residencies, where Robyn officiated at several B’nai Mitzvah, performed concerts at Hong Kong’s Jewish Community Centre, and contributed to the congregation’s educational programs by offering a variety of music classes and workshops.

Since her first visit, Robyn has enjoyed a dozen residencies with the 500 member UJC. "Hong Kong became my home away from home,” Robyn mused. “Who would have thought that there would be a place for Jewish music in Asia!"

Robyn discovered that the only difference between Shabbat in Hong Kong and Shabbat in Washington, D.C. is twelve hours.